Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) pushed ahead with strategic economic development efforts today, announcing the addition of key personnel with deep expertise. The new hires will ensure ECRDA has the expertise and tools it needs to meet the challenges of Erie County businesses and revitalization efforts.
“ECRDA continues to strengthen itself and establish the professional assets to lead Erie economic development efforts,” said Tina Mengine, Executive Director. “This team, with its wealth of experience and drive, is positioned to maximize opportunity, provide needed expertise and restart the momentum of Erie’s resurgence.”
ECGRA announced the addition of two key team members, which rounds out the Authority’s restructuring under the leadership of Tina Mengine, who was appointed in late 2019. The dynamic new team of Betsy Bort as Loan Officer, and Sherri Geary as Vice President of Project Development, will work together to help deliver results, and help grow the economy of Erie County.
Loan Officer: Betsy Bort
Betsy Bort joins the ECRDA with more than 30 years of banking experience. She recently retired after serving as Vice President of Commercial Lending at Erie Bank for ten years where she handled a diversified loan portfolio in excess of $60 million and was responsible for developing and enhancing business relationships in the community. Bort has joined ECRDA as a Loan Officer where she will focus on helping business and projects secure the capital needed to be successful.
“Community service and the strength of our local economy has always been very important to me,” said Betsy Bort, ECRDA Loan Officer, “With Erie County in mind, during an unprecedently trying time, I decided to come out of retirement and put my experience to work assisting our local businesses and municipalities.” Bort’s wealth of experience in commercial lending along with her commitment to Erie County is a tremendous asset to the ECRDA and the entire economic development community.
Vice President of Project Development: Sherri Geary
Sherri Geary brings more than 20 years of economic development experience to the ECRDA team. Most recently Geary served as the Director of Economic Development for McKean County where she was responsible for a number of successful building projects in addition to multiple grant awards totaling over $4M. Prior to leading the McKean County efforts, Geary served as an Economic Development Specialist for New York’s Southern Tier Economic Growth Initiative, Executive Director for the Geneva (NY) Business Improvement District, CEO of the Worker Ownership Resource Center (Seneca, NY) and the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency. In her role with ECRDA Geary will lead the business and real estate development arm, focusing on brownfield revitalization projects and industrial site development.
“Erie County has so much to offer culturally, recreationally and economically, said Geary, VP of Project Development, ECRDA.” I am thrilled to join the Erie County Redevelopment team and contribute to the exciting work of building on the active revitalization of Erie County.”
In addition to Bort and Geary, Mengine is pleased to announce that Larry Bossolt, a well-known and respected economic development practitioner will serve as a special project consultant on an as needed basis.
Special Project Consultant: Larry Bossolt
Larry Bossolt served as Senior Vice President of Economic Development Center of Erie County (EDCEC) for 18 years where he was actively involved in the development of several business parks and assisted in the expansion of many of Erie County’s most successful businesses. Following his time at EDCEC, he served as Executive Director of the City of Erie Redevelopment Authority rounding out his industrial and business development experience with housing and community development experience.